The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-07

Classical learning and mathematics
were OF course the principal things
taught.
Whether the teacher were Catholic
or Protestant, pupils OF both denoui-
nations focked TO him, if he were
considereda good master.
TyndslPs master was named "Con.
we'll, man of humble birth, prob
ably "a good scholir," but a thor
ough teacher aud n wonderful math-
ematician, wLo might have distin-
guished himself had he, like his
pupil, got the chance. He taught
for mere pittance, his pupils paid
him what they could, or what they
would. the weather. ones more, the
poorer ones less. We have heard it
said that Mrs. Stewart paid for
young Tyndalls tuition, but we have
never believed it; the fees we're too
small and the money his work would
bring too little.
Tyndall has ever been grateful TO
his first teacher. writing to him con-
stantly till the day of his death, as,
cribipg bis wonderful success to the
solid scholastic foundation laid by
him, and IL is in iced marvellous that
humble boy, uncouth and ugly,
should 20 from mere village school
and pass the examination necessary
for sizarship in the University Of
Cambridge, England. Several Of
TYYDALL's scHooLMATEs,
amongst others DR.. N. Curap, arch
bishop of Sidney; p. j. f. Neil, a
celebrated lawyer in New York and
Philadelphia, and others have filed
important positions, but possibly
that thin. yellow faced, lantern jawed
boy, with patched clothes, poor and
q hereto to boot, was the only genius
amongst them. The school was an
undcnominational one, certainly but
the Catholics were decidedly 10 the
majority; boys are proverbially
cruel and intolerant, and tradition
preserves the memory Of many a
pummelling received on the play
ground in those early school days for
his want of orthodoxy.
Later, when he was 40 nearly mob.
bed in Belfast for his infdel lecture,
did his thoughts 60 back to those
early days aud think it was hard
lines that he was fated to be perse-
cuted either for his religious opin-
ions or the want of them?
Many an uncomplimentary nick
name was thrown at him; for he, like
oil his family, was and is ugly, puri-
tanical looking, thin, ungainly and
yellow; a state of things remarkable
in that country OF velvsty complex.
ions aud stalwsrt men aud women.
But he had his compensa ion; he
was distinguished in all of his studies.
particularly 10 mathematics. and be.
came one OF the show pupils, those
who. before strangers, are called on
to solve seemingly improbable prob.
lens. wonderful q gebraic calcula-
lions snd other scholarly games.
Visitors TO the school soon remarked
the bright boy. aud thoughtisa pity
that no much learning should DO
wasted on his fathers trade.
At last tho chance came. When
John Tyndall was about sixteen or
seventeen 4 new survey of Ireland
was ordered 10 be made, aud Father
Patrick Kehoe. the Roman Catholic
clergyman above referred to. having
considerable influence, exerted il 10
procure the future scientist a posi-.
ton In tho engineering corps Of the
sappers aud miners, a very humble
one. that OF chsinbearer. A very
humble one, in truth, but il gave tho
young eaglet a chance OF measuring
himself with his fellows. When HIS
work was ended he tried for a schol.
arship in Cambridge. aud succeeded.
What his early struggles, he the
poor scholar, almost the servant"
must have been in that wealthy uni
yersity. he alone can tell; let US hope
that tho brilliancy Of the man $ mind
gold glittering through the dull.
gray stone--soon smoothed his way.
VI course helcked out his soanty in.
como by teaching; afterwards he
went 10 German university. 70.
turned TO England, aud his subse.
quent career Is almost a matter of
history.
TYSDALL's ROMANCE.
His meeting, during his annual
peramhulatiOns in Switzerland with
the Alpine Club. with the daugh.
ter Of Lord Claud Hamilton, a niece
OF the Duke Of Abcrcorn, and she a
handsome woman of seven aud
twenty, falling in love with him, A
man over 90, the son of a village
shoemaker, aud finally marrying
him, is not the least wonderful event
In that life as romantic and varied
rs the hcroc, in An Arabian tale.
Tyndall belonged 10 a family, Cal.
whistle rather than Episcopalian In
its views, they woot, il is true, 10
that pretty little church on the side
OF tho hill-all Protestans were
united in their hatred for popery-
aud seems rather joke to remember
that John Tyndall once won a Bible
Tor sunday'school proficiency.
His father, the shoemaker, was an
ardent controvcrsialist. We have
often heard an old Roman Catholic
clergyman describe with considcra.
bic humor his boyish theological dis.
putcs with old Tyndall when he went
into the "enhin' 10 have his shoes
mcnded. AZ FIRST the worthy cob.
bier had decidedly the bos. Of il, his
young antagonist not being very well
up IN scrip,ural lore. After some
time, however, DR.. Doylc's (the
famous T. X. ~ catechism an.
pcarcd, 10 which texts are given for
all tho dnemas. Tho old mao was
now ioiled. Ii was long time be.
Tore he discovered the secret. When
bo d d III, coutcmpiuous wrath was
wonderful 10 behold.
,Ab, nov; wasn't that a clever
dodsoP ho said when he cooled
down. And he would chuckle 10
himself, as II glad 20 Gnd he had
been out.arguod. NOT bv raw